Chucking machine



March 23, 1937f D. H. MONTGOMERY ET AL 9 39 CHUCKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Oct. '22, 1935 QUEER? C. NELSON BY QNN March 23, 1937. D. H. MONTGOMERY ET AL CHUCKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 00mm H. MONTEOMEPY ROBERT C. NELSON March 23, 31937 D. H. MONTGOMERY ET AL fi p CHUCKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet s g U r I i k g I HHVIII-fl/ a INVENTOR DUN/1L0 H. Mfl/VTGOMERY ROBERT C. NELSON BY March 23, W37. D. H. MONTGOMERY ET AL fi a CHUCKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 llll ul lllll -l llll Wllllllllllll un-11mm i Q g E N R O T T A;

INVENTORS DONALD HJWONTGOMERY ROGERT CINELSO/V Patented Mar. 23, 1937 rims it? EQE CHUCKING MACHINE tion of Connecticut Application October 22, 1935, Serial No. 46,084

27 Claims.

Our invention relates to a chucking machine and more particularly to hydraulic mechanism for operating parts of such a machine.

The invention will be described as embodied in a multiple spindle chucking machine of the type described in Gridley et a]. application, Serial No. 551,136, filed July 16, 1931, to which reference is made for a fuller disclosure of such a machine. In said Gridley et al. application, there i9 is disclosed a four spindle work rotating type of chucking machine. Each chuck is fluid pressure actuated and each spindle is clutched to and unclutched from its drive gear or power train by fluid pressure actuated means, and. the chucking and clutching functions are controlled by a single handle. The spindles are mounted in an indexible spindle carrier and as each spindle is indexed to the loading station it is declutched from the power train and the chuck 0 opened, after which a new work piece is inserted, the chuck closed, and the spindle again clutched to the power train prior to reaching the first work station. Our present invention, as stated, will be described as embodied in a ma- 25 chine of the said Gridley et a1. type, but it is to he understood that the principles of our invention are of broader application and may be embodied in machines of other types and in machines having one or more spindles.

It is an object of our invention to provide fluid pressure actuated chucking and clutching means so interrelated as to reduce the dangers to an operator and to machine parts to a minimum.

It a more specific object to provide fluid pressure actuated clutch and chuck mechanism controlled as to prevent work pieces from being unchucked until the spindle has been unclutched from the drive train.

A further object of the invention is to provide do for automatically stopping the machine rev-enting indexing of the carrier should the work piece fail to be properly chucked and the spindle clutched to the drive train.

3 anoth r object to provide fluid pressure as o a ed chuck and clutch mechanism arranged automatic declutching of the spindle from further object to provide fluid pressure 1 chuck and clutch mechanism controlled single handle together with delayed action :zeens to cause one function to be performed in of the other.

another object to provide independently regulable pressure means for controlling the clutch mechanism between the spindle and the power train and for controlling the chucking mechanism and for holding the work chucked in work station or stations.

It is another object to provide, fluid pressure vention, we may employ an indexible spindlecarrier carrying a plurality of rotatable spindles having chucks. The chucks are actuated by fluid pressure and each spindle in loading station is clutched to and declutched from its drive gear or power train by fluid pressure actuated means.

, The chucking and clutching functions are under control of a single member, such as a handoperated lever, when hand feeding is resorted to. The interrelation of the chucking and clutching functions is such that danger to an operator by reason of the starting of the spindle rotation before or immediately after the work piece is chucked up is reduced to a minimum. We preferably provide means for automatically declutching each spindle from the power train in loading station and manual means for unchucking the work piece, together with the same manual means for chucking up a new work piece, and preferably also for clutching the spindle to the power train. In case of a failure of chucking or clutching functions to be properly accomplished, we provide means for automatically stopping the machine or preventing indexing of the spindle carrier. Pressure fluid for holding the chucks in work stations closed may be and preferably is different from the pressure of the fluid employed for chucking up the work piece in the loading station. Furthermore, the pressure of the fluid for actuating the clutch mechanism may be and preferably is different from either of the other pressures. All of these pressures are regulable at will to meet varying conditions. We also provide means for stopping the machine in case of an abnormal pressure condition, for example, a dangerous drop in pressure which might endanger the hold of the chuck on the work piece, with consequent serious danger of damage to tools and other parts.

In the drawings which show, for illustrative purposes only, a preferred form of the invention as embodied in a machine of the type disclosed in said Gridley et al. application- Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view of a machine of the type indicated, equipped with our improved fluid pressure chuck and clutch mechanism and associated parts;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view of a machine as disclosed in said Gridley et al. application and illustrating features of our improved fluid pressure actuated chucking and clutching mechanism;

Figs. 2a and 2b are sectional views taken re- Spectively in the plane of lines 2 4 and 2 -2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 2 and illustrates parts of the clutch control mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 5--5 of Fig. 2 and illustrates the clutch actuating piston and associated parts;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 and illustrates parts of a safety device;

Fig. "I is a view similar to Fig. 6 but illustrating parts in diiferent positions.

In said drawings and as is more fully set forth in said Gridley et al. application, the machine embodies a plurality of rotatable spindles, such as 5, all mounted for rotation in an indexible spindle carrier. Each indexing movement brings one spindle from the last work station to the loading station. Each spindle is provided with a movable clutch member 6 keyed thereto and engageable with a coacting clutch member I constantly driven by the gear 8 of the power train. The clutch illustrated is of the simple toothed type but it is to be understood that in practice the clutch mechanism may be substantially as disclosed in said Gridley et al. application, namely, one involving a friction pick up and a positive drive.

Each spindle carries work holding or chucking means 9 for gripping work pieces l0. Each chuck is actuated by a draw rod carrying a piston II in a cylinder l2. Pressure on the tail end of the piston H in the form shown serves to close the chuck on the work and pressure on the head end of the piston ll serves to open the chuck. Pressure fluid under control of means to be later described is introduced into the cylinder 12 to actuate the piston H and consequently the chuck 9. Suffice it to say here that the chuck is actuated in loading station preferably by pressure fluid from an accumulator while the pistons of all of the cylinders in work station are maintained in the chucked up position by pressure fluid directly from the pump which serves to charge the accumulator. The chucking up pressure and the holding pressure may be, and in most cases will be, different and regulable.

The clutch member 6 is also actuated by pressure fluid preferably from the accumulator and the pressure acting on the clutch operating mechanism may be different from the pressure employed for actuating the chuck mechanism.

As shown particularly in Fig. 1, a pump 13, which preferably operates continuously, draws fluid such as oil from the sump through a suction pipe 14 and delivers same through the delivery pipe I5 to a main regulating valve designated generally l6 and into a bore l1 therein. I8 is what may be termed a pressure retaining valve backed up and urged toward the left by means of a spring 89 adjustable as to stress by means of a screw 28. When the valve i8 is closed by the spring !9, the pump must build up a pressure in the bore I! sufiicient to overcome the stress of the spring [9 in its adjusted condition. When such pressure is built up, the valve I8 is moved toward the right and fluid then passes the valve and flows into the air bell or accumulator 2|. The accumulator 2|, it will be understood, cannot be charged until the pressure in the bore ll below the valve l8 has been built up to a predetermined amount determined by the adjustment of the spring l9 and such predetermined pressure is maintained in passage ll while the accumulator is being charged. If for any reason an excessive pressure in the passage ll should be built up the pressure is relieved by the pressure relief valve 22 set by its spring to open at a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the normal pressure desired in bore ll. When the accumulator 2i has been charged by compressing the air in the upper part thereof to the desired degree, the pressure of the accumulator 2! will serve to move the accumulator regulating valve 23 toward the right and against the spring 2G adjustable as to stress by means of a screw 25. When the valve 23 is moved to the right to an open position, excess fluid passes into a pipe 26 and may be discharged over moving parts of the machine for lubricating the same. The oil eventually is returned to the sump and recirculated. Thus, with a proper setting of the valves l8 and 23, a higher and constant pressure may always be maintained in the passage I! below the valve 18 than is maintained in the accumulator. Pressure fluid from the passage H, which may be said to be at pump pressure is employed for holding the pistons of chucks in work stations in the chuck closed position. The pressure on the pistons in work stations is preferably constant and regulable at will. In the form shown pump pressure acts against the reducing valve 2'! and is urged toward the left by means of a spring 28, the stress of which may be adjusted at will by a screw 29. The rear of the valve 2'! is in open communication as shown with the pipe 30 leading, as will be later described, to the tail ends of all cylinders in work stations. The valve 27, it will be seen, serves to reduce the pump pressure to a degree determined by the adjustment of the spring 28.

Pressure fiuid from the accumulator 2| is led by means of a pipe 3| to a control valve casing designated generally 32. The pipe 3| discharges into a bore in the control valve casing and communicates directly with the central part of the spool valve 34 which controls the clutch piston 35. It will be seen that the spool valve 34 is slidable within a cylinder and when in the position shown, accumulator pressure fluid is admitted through the passage 36 to the head end of the clutch piston 3550 as to move the clutch slide 31 toward the right or into the clutched position as shown. When the spool valve 34 is moved toward the right, pressure fluid from the head end of the piston 35 discharges through the discharge port 38 and accumulator pressure fluid enters the tail end of the cylinder through passage 39 so as to move the piston 35 toward the left to declutch the spindle in loading station from the power train.

- tion) with the circumferential passage 59.

Accumulator pressure fluid entering the control valve casing 32 also passes through a branch passage 4% and serves to urge a reducing valve ll to the right against the stress of the spring 32 regulated as by means of a screw 43. The valve ll, as will be clear, serves to reduce the pressure of the fiuid passing from passage M3 to the passage i l. The passage 44, carrying the reduced accumulator pressure, communicates with the central part of a spool valve 45 which may be termed the main control valve of a machine since it is manually or otherwise actuated to control both the clutching and chucking functions.

The spool control valve G is slidable in a cylinder 46 having the two end exhaust passages ll-t8. The cylinder 45 has communicating therewith a pipe 59 leading from near the lefthand end thereof to a bore 5!! in a fixed distributor plug 5! carried by the frame of the machine. A second pipe 52 leads from near the right-hand end of the cylinder 46 and communicates with a second bore 53 in the fixed distributor plug M. The distributor plug, through passages to be described, communicates with and controls the passage of fluid to the ends of the cylinders of the spindles in both the loading and work stations. It may be here noted that the reduced pump pressure pipe til communicates with a bore 54 in the distributor plug 55.

As shown Figs. 1, 2, 2a; and 2b, the distributor plug 55 is provided with a short circumferential passage 55, communicating with the bore and consequently with the pipe 59. This short passage 55 communicates through a pipe 56 with the tail end of the cylinder of the spindle in loading station. The distributor plug 5! has a second short circumferential passage 51 communicating with the bore 53 and consequently with the pipe The head end of the cylinder of the spindle in loading station communicates with the passage dl through a pipe 58. As will be later described, the main control valve 15 serves to alternately connect the ends of the chucking cylinder loading station with a source of accumulator pressure fiuid and with exhaust for actuating the chuck. The distributor plug 5! has a relatively long circumferential passage 59, circumferentially aligned with but out of communication with short passage 55, and communicates with the bore 55* and consequently with the reduced pump pressure pipe 35. The tail end of each of the cylinders of spindles in Work stations are connected by means of pipes designated 56 (in all respects, the same as pipe 56 in loading sta- Thus, reduced pump pressure from the pipe 3! is always maintained on the tail ends of the piston of each cylinder in work stations and the chucks in such stations are consequently maintained closed and by constant but regulable pressure. The distributor plug 5! has still another long circumferential passage 5!, circumferentially aligned with but out of communication with short passage 51, and communicates with a bore 52 open to the atmosphere. The head end of each cylinder of each spindle in work stations is connected by means of a pipe 58' (in all respects the same as pipe 58 in loading station) with such long circum;erential passage Si and consequently is open to the atmosphere as long as those pistons are in work stations. Such atmospheric connection is desirable toprevent any pressure fiuid leaking past the piston from building up on the head end of the cylinders while in work stations. All

of the pipes 5658 are secured in radial bores in a sleeve manifold 64 which quite closely fits the distributor plug 5! and which rotates with the spindle carrier in its indexing movements. It will be observed that when each chucking cylinder, as 12, is indexed to the loading station, the opposite ends thereof will be connected only with the short passages 555l and will have respectively passed out of communication with the long circumferential passages 59tl. hus, any pressure changes of the chucking cylinder in loading station will in no wise affect the pressure condition in the cylinders of spindles in work stations. a

As heretofore indicated the chucking and unchucking is controlled by the spool control valve 5. The latter is moved by means of its piston rod 65, connected to a lever 66 fixed on a shaft 6'5 journaled in the frame. The shaft 5! also has fixedly secured thereto an actuator, such as a handle 68, so that upon rocking of the handle 68 the spool valve 45 will be moved. When the handle 68 has been moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, the spool valve 55 will be in its extreme left-hand position as determined by the adjusting nuts 69 on the valve stem 65. Pressure fiuid from the accumulator pipe 3| will then enter through passages lll l l and around the spool valve, thence into and through the pipe lil tobore short annular passage 55, pipe 5t, and to the tail end of the cylinder of the spindle in loading station. The piston M will then be moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, so as to cause the chuck to grip the work piece. During such movement of the piston ll toward the left, oil or other pressure fluid at the head end of the piston M will escape through pipe 58, short passage ti", bore 53, pipe 52, thence to the right-hand end of the control cylinder 2-6 and then through the exhaust passage 48 back to the sump. During such actuation of the chuck, it is to be observed that all of the cylinders of spindles in work stations are constantly subjected to the reduced pump pressure from pipe 3i] and are in no wise affected by the chucking and unchucking of the work in the loading station. When the control valve 25 is moved toward the right, as by means of the handle 68 so as to open the pipe to the exhaust pipe 41 and to open the pipe 52 to the central portion of the spool valve 45, pressure fluid through the pipes heretofore described will enter the head end of the cylinder 12 in loading station fluid from the tail end of such cylinder will escape through the exhaust port 4! of the control cylinder. Thus, movement of the handle $8 in the proper direction serves to shift the spool valve for chucking and unchucking work in the loading station.

The clutching mechanism for the spindle, heretofore indicated, is also controlled by the handle 53 and main control valve 55. In the form disclosed, and as is more specifically set forth in said Gridley et a1. application, spindle its own individual clutching fork it? carried around with the spindle carrier during indexing. Each said fork is provided with a finger ll which during indexing to the loading station engages within a circumferential groove E3 in a part of the clutch slide organization designated generally 3'3. The clutch slide 3? is connected as by means a piston rod 72 with the clutch piston 35: heretofore described. The clutch slide itself may he slid ably mounted as shown on a pair of parallel bars id-M fixedly carried by the frame. When the clutch spool valve 36 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, it will be clear that the clutch piston 35 will be moved toward the right and the spindle clutched to the drive train. Also, as heretofore described, with the main control spool valve 45 in its left-hand position as shown in Fig. 1, the work will also be chucked.

If the work piece were chucked and the spindle put in rotation simultaneously, there would be great danger to the hands of the operator holding the work piece in the chuck. Therefore, we have provided means for causing a substantial time lag between chucking up of a new work piece in the loading station and the clutching of the cylinder to the drive train so as to give the operator ample time to remove his hand after the work piece is securely chucked before the spindle is put in rotation. If we assume the chuck 9 of Fig. 1 to be open the normal operation would be for the operator to put in a new work piece H3 and hold the same in the chuck (which would not be in rotation at that time) and then move the control handle 68 to its full left-hand position, as shown in Fig. 1, thus moving the spool control valve 45 to its extreme left-hand position, as shown in Fig. 1. As heretofore described, the chuck would immediately be closed by accumulator pressure fluid flowing as heretofore fully de-- scribed. With the spool valve in the extreme left-hand position, pressure fluid from the passage 44 would then flow through a restricted or bleed passage 15 and thence to the right-hand end of a piston 16 which is backed up by a spring 11, the stress of which may be controlled by an adjusting screw 18. The flow of fluid through the restricted passage 15 is relatively slow and builds up slowly in volume behind the piston 16 so as to urge the same toward the left and finally into the position shown in Fig. 1. The piston '56 through its piston rod is connected to a lever 19 pivoted at to the control valve casing and connected at its opposite end to the piston rod of the clutch spool valve 34, as will be clear. When the main control valve 45 is moved to its extreme left-hand position as shown, therefore, the chucking up of the work piece will be very rapid. As soon as the operator feels the work piece is securely chucked, he removes his hand. Thereafter the spindle is not immediately put in rotation because the flow of fluid through the restricted passage !5 is relatively slow and therefore there is a substantial time lag between the chucking up of the work piece and the movement of the clutch spool valve 34 to its left-hand position so as to cause the clutch slide 31 to be moved to the right and the spindle clutched to the drive train. The time lag between chucking up and clutching of the spindle to the drive train may be varied by varying the extreme left-hand position of the control spool valve 45 by means of the adjusting nuts 69 on the control spool valve piston rod 55, since the left-hand flange of the valve 45 when in extreme left-hand position determines the extent of restriction of the passage 15.

When a new work piece has been chucked and the spindle clutched to its drive train, under normal conditions the spindle carrier is indexed so as to bring the new work piece into the first work station and to bring the spindle from the last work station into the loading station. We preferably provide means for automatically declutching the rotating spindle in the loading station from the drive train so that the operator merely unchucks the finished work piece preparatory to inserting a new work blank. The automatic declutching of the spindle is for the most part merely a time saver and the spindle could be declutched by hand by moving the handle 68. However, in the form shown, wherein we provide means for automatically declutching the spindle when it arrives in loading station, there is a rocking lever 8| pivoted at 82 to a fixed frame bracket 83. This bracket 83 may be conveniently fixed to one of the fixed frame slide bars 14. The lower end of the lever B! is provided with a cam roll 84 engageable by a cam 85 on the main or other cam shaft 86 of the machine, the positioning of the cam 85 being such that it rocks the lever 8| at about the completion of the indexing movement. The upper end of the lever M is pivoted at 81 to a link 88 pivotally connected at its opposite end as at 89 to the lever 66, which, as heretofore stated, is unitarily movable with the hand lever 68. The cam 85 is only high enough to rock the lever 8! a distance suflicient to open the left-hand end of the passage 15 to the exhaust 4'! (see dotted line position of valve 45 in Fig. 3) but is not sufiicient to open the chucking pipe 49 to exhaust nor to open the chucking pipe 52 to the pressure passage 44. As soon as the left-hand end of the passage 75 is freely opened to the exhaust pipe 41, pressure fluid quickly flows from the right-hand end of the piston 16 and, under the influence of the stressed spring 7?, the lever 79 is rocked so as to quickly shift the clutch control spool valve 34 to its extreme right-hand position, thus opening the tail end of the piston 35 to accumulator pressure fluid from passage 33 and opening the head end of piston 35 to exhaust port 38. The clutch slide 31 will then be rapidly moved by the piston 35 in its left-hand movement so as to declutch the spindle in loading station from the drive train or gear S. Movement of the slide 37 toward the left will also bring the flange 90 into engagement with a fixed brake shoe device 9i and continued fluid pressure will cause the frictional engagement between the flange 90 and the brake shoe 9! to quickly stop the rotation of the spindle. The operator then moves the handle 68 from its mid-position, to which it was moved by the cam, to the extreme right-hand position, this movement serving to connect the chucking pipe 49 with exhaust and the unchucking pipe 52 with the pressure passage 44 so as to unchuck the work piece. A new work piece is then inserted and held in the chuck by the operator and the handle 68 then moved to its extreme left-hand position as shown in Fig. 1. As heretofore described, this movement positions the spool valve 45 in its extreme left-hand position and causes immediate chucking of the work pieceand, due to the restricted passage 15, a delayed clutching of the spindle to the drive train giving the operator ample time to remove his hand after chucking up a new work piece and before the spindle is clutched to the drive train. Such is the normal operation.

However, we have provided means for preventing the operator from unchucking the finished work piece unless and until the clutch slide has been moved to its extreme left-hand or unclutched position. The safety means employed is best shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6, and 7. The link 88 is provided with an elongated slot 92. The fixed frame bracket 83, which pivotally carries the lever 8|, carries a plunger member 93 having a conical nose 94 which, when the clutch sleeve 3'! is in its extreme left-hand or declutched position, fits in a registering conical opening S5 in the clutch sleeve, the positioning of the plunger 93 and conical opening 95 being such that they register with each other when the clutch slide is in its extreme left-hand or declutched position. However, should the clutch slide for any reason, such as a failure of pressure fluid, breakage of a pipe or the like, fail to be moved to its extreme lefthand or declutched position the conical nose El i will ride upon the fiat portion of the slide 371' and the tail $8 of the plunger 93 will project into the slot 92, as shown in Fig. *1, and positively prevent the operator from moving the control handle 88 to its extreme right-hand or unchucklng position. It may be here stated that when the cam 85, through. the lever 85, moves the control handle so as to 'declu'tch the spindle in loading station, the link positioned about as shown in Fig. '7, that is, with the lefthand end of the slot about in engagement with the tall 96 of the plunger. In the normal course of events, the clutch slide does move to its extreme left-hand or declutched position and then the plunger Q3 is depressed by its spring s1 so as to withdraw the tail 96 from the slot and the o erator then unchucks the finished work piece by moving the handle 53 to its extreme right-hand position. The operator is thus protected against injury by reason of the fact that is unable to unchuck a finished work piece until the spindle has been completely deciutched from the drive train. If a heavy finished work piece were discharged from the chuck while in rotation there is likelihood of further damage to the operator, the work piece or the machine. Furthermor the operator, as heretofore described, protected from injury caused by a premature clutching of the spindle i. loading statlon after chucking of a new work piece, that is to say, the delay in clutching the spindle is sufficient after the new work piece is chucked to permit the operator to remove his hand from the chucked work piece before clutching takes place.

Under no 1 hand loading conditions the op ator has to unclutch the finished piece and chuck up a new work piece and t the spindle to be clutched to the drive tran during the time that the spindle carrier at rest and the tools are operating on work s in the work stations; that is, the unchuck chucking and clutching can ordinarily be med by the operator between indexing nts of the spindle carrier. However, if so e reason the operator fails to move the to close the chuck and again put the l in rotatinn, or if through failure of presor insufiicient pressure of the pressure fluid tche-d the drive h functions lously injure tools and other parts of the machine, the machine will be st. pod, or at least the feed functions thereof cease,

prior to indexing of a spindle from own the clutch slide 3? carries a lever otally mounted thereon at 99 and urged e ockwise direction by means of alight spring l Thus the lever .83 being pivoted to theme-vclutch slide 3'! moves bodily with the latter during its reciprocation in clutching and dehin" of the spindle in loading station. If .ny reason the clutch slide 3? has failed to ve to ts extreme right-hand or clutched poor to indexing of the spindle carrier,

3? will of course be positioned somewhat its extreme right-hand position, as l and 3, and the lower end It! will be positioned so as to be accam I 82 carried by the cam drum on the slide on shaft 86 heretofore described. The cam I02 is timed to actuate the lever 98 just prior to normal indexing movement of the spindle car rier. The upper end of the lever 58 carries a push pin I03 normally urged toward the left by means of a spring I04 and limited in its lefthand movement by a head I05. The nose I06 of the push pin is positioned to engage a push button I 01 of an electric switch so as to close a contact and the positioning of the parts is such that unless the clutch slide 3'! is in its extreme right-hand position, the cam I02 will rock the lever 98 sufficiently far to cause the push pin I03 to engage the push button I01 and close the contact as aforesaid. Normally it will be observed that with the clutch slide IO'I in its extreme righthand or clutched position, the lever 98 will be bodily moved so far to the right that even if engaged by the cam M2 the nose I09 of the push would not be engageable with the push button I07 of the switch. However, when the push button N31 is depressed, the contact is closed and, as shown diagrammatically at the left of Fig. 1, line current through the lines I08 will be caused to pass through the coil I09 of a solenoid, thus sucking up the core H0 and through a link and bell crank lever III, the lever I I2 of the main feed clutch of the machine is thrown out and thus all of the feed Works and consequently the indexing movement of the machine is stopped. The feed clutch throw out mechanism may be substantially the same as is disclosed in Montgomery et al. application, Serial No'. 689,596, filed September 15, 1933. The feed works will preferably not be automatically thrown in even though the clutch slide should thereafter be moved to its extreme right-hand or clutched position and the contact ID! broken so as to deenergize the solenoid and release the handle H2 controlling the main feed clutch. The latter is preferably manually thrown in after the cause of the failure of the feed clutch to be moved to its extreme clutched position has been remedied.

In normal hand loading the speeds and character of the work pieces are often such that the operator has time to unchuck the finished work piece and chuck a new work piece and get the spindle in rotation before the spindle carrier is indexed. In that case the operation of the machine is continuous. However, under certain conditions, the operator may not have sufficient time to unload the chuck and reload the same with a. new work blank in the time between indexing movements and this is particularly so when a last operation on the work piece is to be performed in the loading station and before unloading the chuck. In the latter case the cam 85 is moved around on its cam drum to such a position that the lever BI is actuated to declutch the spindle after the last operation has been performed in loading station and the tools withdrawn, and of course before indexing. As soon as the clutch slide has moved in the declutching direction, thus carrying the lever 98 with it, the latter will be so positioned as to be engaged by the throw out cam I02 and to engage switch I 0'! so that the entire feed works will be thrown out. The feed works will then be out, the clutch of the spindle in loading station will be out (by reason of cam 85) and the operator may then throw the lever 68 to unchuck the work piece and then chuck up a new work piece and clutch the spindle to the drive train, all as heretofore described. Thereafter the main feed works clutch handle ||2 may be thrown in to again throw in the feed works so that the spindle'carrier will index in the usual manner. The latter cycle of operation may be said to be the truly intermittent cycle, that is, where at the completion of each cycle the machine is stopped.

The machine may also be arranged for full automatic operation, that is, the work pieces may be automatically discharged in loading station and a new work piece fed to the chuck from a magazine and chucked up and the spindle put in rotation, etc. The only changes required for full automatic operation with magazine loading is to provide an additional cam H3 engageable with the roll 84 on the lever 8| arranged to position the lever 3|; in the position shown in Fig. 1, that is, the position corresponding to the extreme left-hand position of the handle 68 which causes chucking up of the work piece and clutching of the spindle. The cam 85 being properly positioned will declutch the spindle in loading station and a second cam H4. (to be provided for full automatic operation) will unchuck the finished work piece, after which the magazine will feed a new work piece to the chuck and hold the same therein until the cam 3 has again moved the lever 8| to the position shown in Fig. 1 and the new Work piece is chucked and the spindle again put in rotation.

In addition to the parts heretofore described, various other devices and features are or may be incorporated in the mechanism of our invention. We have provided means to throw out the feed works in case of a failure of fluid pressure, which failure might occur at such a time in the cycle as to cause serious damage to tools or other parts of the machine and at such time that the automatic mechanisms heretofore described would not be in a position to throw out the feed works. For example, should the pump drive for some reason fail or the discharge pipe of the pump break, the pressure would immediately fall. In the solenoid circuit I88 we provide a pressure switch ||5 which is in parallel with the switch I01 and which is normally held open by pump pressure fluid in the pipe line I5 and branch ||6. As soon as the pressure drops in the pump discharge line to a point below the setting of the pressure switch H5, the circuit will be closed so as to energize the solenoid to suck up the armature H0 and throw out the main feed clutch, as heretofore described. The switches Ill! and 5 are in parallel so as to provide for the same throw out action, no matter which one is closed, to energize the solenoid circuit.

The accumulator 2| as heretofore described furnishes the pressure fluid for both the clutching and chucking functions. However, unless the accumulator 2| is quite large, there is likelihood of a dangerous drop in pressure in the accumulator 2| due to the substantial drain thereon in rapid clutch and chuck actuation, for example as when the machine is wholly automatically operated and magazine fed. We may therefore employ an additional accumulator connected as by means of a pipe ||8 with the central portion of the main control spool valve and which is therefore in communication with the cored passage 44 normally fed by the accumulator 2|. The accumulator will therefore be charged by the accumulator 2| during such times as there is no drain on the accumulator 2|. The maximum pressure to which the accumulator will be charged is determined by the setting of the reducing valve 4|. With the two accumulators Ill and 2| it will be seen that the chucking func tions will be accomplished by means of pressure fluid from the auxiliary accumulator I! but aug mented where necessary by the accumulator 2|. The accumulator 2| is therefore available for quick actuation of the clutching piston, and very rapid chucking and clutching is possible as where the machine is wholly automatically operated. It may be here stated that with insufficient accumulator capacity the fluid may be drained so rapidly that the chucking and clutching functions will be slow and in fact it may be necessary at times to await the recharging of the accumulator before completion of the chucking or clutching functions, or both. However, with the auxiliary accumulator or an accumulator of ample size, chucking and clutching functions will be rapidly performed.

It will be clear that the pressure fluid furnished by the accumulator is dependent upon the air trapped in the top thereof and compressed during charging of the accumulator. After long continued use the air becomes dissipated from the accumulator and with insufiicient air the accumulator action is very sluggish and with no air at all of course the entire action would be dependent upon the pump to furnish the normally large volume of fluid for accomplishing the chucking and clutching functions. Therefore, we have provided means for dumping the accumulators and permitting the same to fill with air at such times as the machine is shut down, for example over night, and, if the machine is operated continuously, it should be shut down, say, every twenty-four hours for the purpose of recharging the accumulators with air. The dumping of the accumulators is effected by the pressure control valve |8 in the regulator valve casing and the pressure reducing valve 4| in the control valve casing. In the form shown the pressure retaining valve I8 is provided with a bore ||9 having a side outlet so that when, the pump I3 is shut down and pressure for that reason fails, the spring I9 will close the valve l8 and put the bore I IS in communication with the accumulator 2|. Fluid from the accumulator 2| will therefore flow through the bore I I9 and out the discharge pipe I20 controlled by a hand valve |2| which latter during continuous operation is normally open for the reason that the valve |8 is normally in a right-hand position, as shown in Fig. 1, and no substantial amount of fluid leaks past the valve |8. However, during short shut downs, the valve |2| should normally be closed, except at such times as it is desired to dump the accumulator and recharge the same with air. The reducing valve 4| is likewise provided with a bore I22 having a side opening communicating with the pressure passage 44 and having a second side opening communicating with a discharge or a vent passage I23 which normally should be connected to the discharge pipe |2G and controlled by the same hand valve |2| heretofore described. When the pump is shut down, the valve 44 will move to its left or-closed position and fluid from the accumulator l '4 will be discharged through the bore and vent passage I23 and finally through the valve |2|, as will be understood.

Briefly, the general operation is as follows:

The pump I3 is started and builds up a pressure in the bore or passage Pressure fluid then passes through the pipe 30 to hold all of the chucks in work stations closed and that pressure is maintained substantially constant by the reducing valve 2'! during the entire normal operation of the machine. As the pressure in passage ll builds up, the pressure retaining valve it opens and permits excess fluid over that required to maintain the chucks closed in work stations to flow to and compress the air in the accumulator 2!, thus charging the same. When the accumulator is charged, the pressure of the pressure fluid therein is sufiicient to move the regulating valve 23 toward the right and the excess fluid flows through the pipe 26 and discharges over parts of the mechanism to be lubricated and is finally returned to the sump. Each time the pressure in the accumulator drops, as

: it does when fluid is withdrawn therefrom for chucking and clutching purposes, the valve 23 closes so as to prevent the discharge of fluid through the pipe 26 until the accumulator ii is again charged. As heretofore stated, the valve lZi in normal operation remains open since the bore H9 in the pressure retaining valve is normally sealed. Pressure fluid then flows through pipe 3| and, assuming the handle 63 to be at the extreme right as shown in Fig. 3, the chuck in loading station will be open and the clutch slide 31 will be in its extreme left-hand position wherein the spindle in loading station is declutched from the power train. A work piece is then inserted in the chuck in loading station and held therein. The hand lever 6% is then moved with one movement to its extreme lefthand position as shown in Fig. 1 thus moving control spool valve 55 to its extreme left-hand position. Pressure fluid from the accumulator 2i or the auxiliary accumulator ill, when employed, then flows through pipe is to the tail end of the chucking piston ii in loading station. Fluid from the head end of the chucking piston i discharges through pipe 52 and discharge port 48 of the control valve cylinder. The work piece is thus rapidly chucked. At the same time, pre sure fluid is passing relatively slowly through the restricted passage l5 to the head end of the actuating piston 76 for the clutch control valve. The piston i5 is moved slowly toward the left and in turn moves the clutch spool valve 35 to its extreme left-hand position, as shown in Fig. 1, and at that time pressure fluid from the accumulator 2i passes to the head end of the clutching piston 35 and thus moves the clutch slide to its extreme right-hand position, causing the clutch parts 5-'! to engage and put the spindle in rotation. The feed clutch l i2 may then be thrown in and in due course the spindle carrier is indexed to bring the newly chucked work piece into the. first work station and, during normal continuous operation, to bring a finished work piece into the loading station. The cam 85 being synchronized with the indexing mechanism then rocks the lever 3! to move the control handle and with it the spool control valve is toward the right into an intermediate position suflicient to open the passage l5 freely to the exhaust pipe ll of the spool control valve casing, and the spring ll then F quickly moves the piston it to the right and the clutch spool valve 34; is quickly moved toward the right so as to cause pressure fluid from the accumulator iii to impinge upon the tail end of the clutching piston 35 and quickly declutch the spindle from the drive train and by reason of the engagement of the flange 99 with the fixed abutment 9! to cause the spindle to stop rotating. The operator then moves the handle 68 to its extreme right-hand position to unchuck the finished work piece. Under normal conditions the operator is able to so move the handle. However, if for any reason the clutch slide 37 is not in its extreme left or declutched position, the tail 9% of plunger 93 will be projected into the elongated slot 92 and the link 88 and consequently the control handle es will be effectively blocked against right-hand movement. However, under normal conditions, the clutch slide 31 will be in its extreme left-hand or declutched position and when the handle 68 is thrown to its extreme right-hand position, namely into the position shown in Fig. 3, the spool control valve 45 will be moved to its extreme right-hand position and the chucking piston l i will be moved toward the right as heretofore described and the finished work piece unchucked. A, new work piece is then inserted the above noted actions repeated.

Normally the operator may unchuck the finished work piece and chuck up a new one in the time when the spindle carrier is at rest, that is, between indexing movements. However, should it be desired to perform a tooling operation on the work piece after it reaches the loading station, cam 85 is moved around on its cam drum to such position that it will not declutch the spindle from the drive train until the tooling operation in loading station has been performed, at which time the repositioned cam 85 will rock the lever iii and declutch the spindle. With the spindle declutched the clutch slide 31 will be in its extreme left-hand position and before indexing the cam m2 will engage the end IEll of the lever 98 so as to rock the same and close the switch contact iill so as to throw out the feed works. The operator then moves the handle 68 to its extreme righthand position to unchuck the finished work piece, after which a new work piece is inserted and the handle 68 moved to the extreme left as shown in Fig. l to chuck the new work blank and put the spindle in rotation. The main feed clutch handle i i2 is then moved manually to throw in the feed works and, in due course, the spindle carrier is indexed and the same operations are again performed. When the machine is to be operated entirely automatically, that is, when the work pieces are fed to the machine from a magazine, the chucking and clutching functions are performed automatically. In that case in addition to the cam 85 for declutching the spindle in the loading station, we provide an additional cam l I l for moving the handle 68 or its equivalent to the extreme right to unclutch the work piece, after which the magazine feeds a new work piece to the chuck and an additional cam H3 then engaging with the roll 84 rocks the lever B! to chuck the new work piece and put the spindle in rotation. The spindle carrier is then indexed and the same cycle repeated.

It will be seen that we have provided fluid pressure chucking and clutching means which may be actuated at regulable and consequently optimum pressures. Such mechanism may be operated manually, semi-automatically, or fully automatically. Various safety devices have been provided for insuring the safety of the operator, as well as for preventing damage to the machine, tools or work piece clue to accidental improper functioning of one or more of the elements of our improved mechanism.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail and as applied to a multiple spindle chucking machine, it is to be understood that the invention may be variously embodied in other types of machines and that the invention may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of other mechanisms all relating to machines of the character indicated. Various changes, additions and omissions may be made, all Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutch for clutching said spindle to a drive member, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for operating said chuck, a valve member for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to and from both of said fluid pressure actuated means, and fluid pressure passage control means for causing one of said fluid pressure actuated means to act in advance of the other.

2. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch for clutching said spindle to a drive member, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutch, a chuck on said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a control valve means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid for said fluid pressure actuated means and positive means for preventing the actuation of one of said fluid pressure actuated means until the other of said fluid pressure actuated means has actuated its actuated member.

3. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for controlling a clutch for said spindle, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a control valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid for said fluid pressure actuated means, a handle for actuating said control valve, and stop means controlled by the position of one of said fluid pressure actuated means for preventing the actuation of said handle to actuate one of said fluid pressure actuated means until the other has acted.

4. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for clutching and unclutching the same, a chuck, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating the latter, control means including a manually operable member for sequentially controlling the operation of said fluid pressure actuated means, and detent means controlled by the position of one of said fluid pressure actuated means for pre venting full actuation of said manually operable member until one of said fluid pressure actuated means has been moved a predetermined distance.

5. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for controlling clutching means for said spindle, a chuck, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a clutching slide, a control valve for both of said fluid pressure actuated means, said valve being movable in one direction to one position for actuating one of said fluid pressure actuated means and movable in the same direction to a second position for causing the actuation of the other of said fluid pressure actuated means, and detent means for preventing movement of said control valve in said same direction to said second position until the first fluid pressure actuated means has been actuated.

6. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for controlling clutching means for said spindle, a chuck on said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a valve for controlling the floW of fluid pressure to both of said fluid pressure actuated means, said valve being movable to one position to cause a flow of fluid pressure to said fiuid pressure actuated means for closing said chuck and for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said pressure actuated means for clutching said spindle to a drive member, and means for causing a delayed action in the operation of said clutching means in the clutching direction.

7. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for controlling clutching means for said spindle, a chuck, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to both of said fluid pressure actuated means, said valve being movable to one position to control the flow of fluid pressure for causing said fluid pressure actuating means to unclutch said spindle from its drive means and further movable in the same direction to a second position to control a flow of fluid pressiue to actuate said fluid pressure actuated means for unchucking said chuck, and means for preventing said second movement of said valve until said spindle has been completely unchucked from its drive means.

8. In a machine of the character indicated, an indexible spindle carrier, a plurality of rotatable spindles carried thereby, a chuck carried by each of said spindles, fluid pressure actuated means carried by each said spindle for actuating said chucks, clutch means for each said spindle when in loading station, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutch means, and means for providing fluid at independently regulable pressures to actuate said chuck in loading position and for holding said chuck closed when in Work station and for actuating said clutching means.

9. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, clutching means therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for controlling said clutching means, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, and pressure fluid at independently re ulable pressures for actuating said clutching means and for actuating said chuck.

10. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, clutching means therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutching means, a chuck, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, means for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to cause said chuck to be actuated to grip a work piece and to cause said clutch to be actuated to clutch said spindle to its drive means, drive means for said machine, and means for stopping said machine upon a failure of either of said fluid pressure actuated means to complete its function.

11. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutch, a chuck for said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a single valvefor controlling the flow of pressure fluid to both of said fluid pressure actuated means, detent means controlled by the position of said clutch for preventing movement of said single valve to one position until said clutch is completely disengaged.

12. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, means for actuating said clutch, a chuck on said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a valve for controlling the flow oi pressure fluid for actuating said chuck, and detent means controlled by the position of said clutch for preventing a flow of pressure fluid to said chuck fluid pressure actuating means to prevent opening of said chuck until said clutch is completely disengaged.

13. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutch, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a valve movable to one position for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to the fluid pressure'actuated means for actuating said clutch to disengage the same, and detent means controlled by the position of said clutch for preventing movement of said valve to permit opening of said chuck until said clutch has been completely disengaged.

14. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, a fluid pressure actuated piston for actuating said clutch, an auxiliary control valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid for actuating said piston and clutch, a chuck on said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a main control valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said chuck for closing v the same, and means actuated by the pressure of pressure fluid flowing to said chuck actuating means for closing the same to actuate said auxiliary valve for controlling said clutch.

15. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, a fluid pressure actuated piston for actuating said clutch, an auxiliary control valve for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to opposite sides of said piston for moving said clutch to engaged and disengaged position, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, means including a fluid pressure actuated piston for moving said auxiliary control valve, and a main control valve for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said fluid pressure actuated piston and for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck.

16. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutch, a chuck on said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a single control valve for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to both said fluid pressure actuated means for actuating the same, said control valve being movable to a first position to cause a flow of fluid pressure to said clutch fluid pressure actuating means for disengaging said clutch, means for automatically moving said valve to said first position, and detent means for preventing a further movement of said control valve until said clutch has been disengaged.

17. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said clutch, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, a main machine feed clutch, means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said fluid pressure actuated means, and means for automatically throwing said main machine feed clutch upon a failure of said fluid pressure actuated means to engage said spindle clutch and close said chuck.

18. In a machine of the character indicated, an indexible spindle carrier, a plurality of rotatable spindles carried thereby, a spindle clutch for each spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating each said spindle clutch in loading station, a chuck carried by each said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating each said chuck in loading station, means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck and said spindle clutch, a main feed clutch for said machine, and means for automatically disengaging said main feed clutch upon a failure of said fluid pressure actuatedmeans to complete the clutching and chucking functions prior to indexing of said spindle carrier.

19. In a machine of the character indicated, an indexible spindle carrier, a-plurality of rotatable spindles carried thereby, a spindle clutch for each said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating each said spindle clutch in loading station, a chuck carried by each said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating each said chuck in loading station, con trol means for said fluid pressure actuated means, and means for automatically actuating said control means to disengage each said clutch automatically in loading station, and manual means for actuating said control means to open each said chuck in loading station.

20. In a machine of the character indicated, an indexible spindle carrier, a plurality of rotatable spindles carried thereby, a spindle clutch for each said spindle, a fluid pressure actuated means for actuating each said spindle clutch in loading station, a chuck carried by each said spindle, fluid pressure actuating means for actuating each said chuck in loading station, and means for automatically preventing a completion of the indexing movement of said spindle carrier until said chuck from loading station has been closed and the clutch of said spindle from loading station engaged.

21. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a spindle clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said spindle clutch, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, means including a handle for causing said fluid pressure actuated means to disengage said clutch and open said chuck, and detent means controlled by the position of said spindle clutch for preventing movement of said handle to cause an opening of said chuck until said spindle clutch has been disengaged.

22. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a spindle clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said spindle clutch, a chuck carried by said spindle, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, means including fluid pressure actuated piston for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said clutch fluid pressure actuating means and a control valve for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said piston and to said chuck fluid pressure actuating means, and a restriction to restrict the flow of pressure fluid to said piston whereby the latter is moved slowly so as to prevent actuation of said spindle clutch to clutched position until said chuck has been closed.

23. In a machine of the character indicated, an indexible spindle carrier, a plurality of chucks carried thereby, means for actuating each said chuck in loading station, and means for stopping said machine upon a failure of each chuck to close before or when indexed to the first work station.

24. In a machine of the character indicated, an indexible spindle carrier, a plurality of rotatable spindles carried thereby, a spindle clutch for 5 upon a failure of a clutch to be engaged before or when indexed to the first work station.

25. In a machine of the character indicated, a rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, a chuck carried by said spindle, means for actuating said 10 clutch and chuck, and means controlled by the condition of said clutch for preventing opening of said chuck until said clutch has been disengaged.

26. In a machine of the character indicated, a

15 rotatable spindle, a spindle clutch therefor, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said spindle clutch, a chuck carried by said spindle,

fluid pressure actuated means for actuating said chuck, means for controlling said fluid pressure actuated means to cause the latter to actuate said clutch and chuck, and means controlled by the position of one of said two last mentioned members for controlling the actuation of the other of said members for the purpose described. 2'7. In a machine of the character indicated, a

rotatable spindle, a clutch therefor, a chuck carried by said spindle, means for actuating said clutch and chuck, and means for preventing the actuation of one of said two last mentioned members until the other of said members has been actuated.

DONALD H. MONTGOMERY.

ROBERT C. NELSON. 

